Currie 47 - 3 Dundee HSFP: Currie keep cup spot in their sights

CURRIE are well aware that retaining their Premiership title is out of their hands, but that they can still qualify again for a crack at the British & Irish Cup. That's their goal and they remain on track after this seven-try demolition of an under-strength Dundee on a Malleny Park glue pot.

The visitors gave their all, but, when Currie did get quick second-phase ball, they were an unstoppable force and, even when they didn't, the ability of their bigger men to get across the gain line and force openings was a facet of the game Dundee couldn't match.

Haydn Abercrombie had unaccountably missed a couple of straightforward penalties, but claiming the restart after the second, Ross Weston smashed open a gap, the supporting forwards kept the ball alive and hooker Stu Simonsen went over. Abercrombie converted and Currie were hot.

The return after shoulder surgery of Warrior James Eddie spelt even worse news for Dundee. He made some huge carries, in particular taking a Finlay Gillies off-load, making the hard yards then sending the replacement hooker over for try number two.

Dundee did cut the gap just before the break, Rick McKenna scoring a somewhat inebriated-looking dropped goal. However, after the home pack drove the straight-running Gillies over for his second try in 42 minutes, the alarm bells were ringing for the visitors.

Great continuity play sent winger Douglas Fife in for the unconverted bonus fourth try, with the same virtues off quick ruck ball opening a gap for James Johnstone to add to Dundee's misery.

Abercrombie's conversion was his final involvement, but replacement kicker Matt Scott was able to goal Currie's two late additional tries, from the rumbustious Weston following a fierce scrummage drive and full back Tom Brown - ending a flowing move from Ryan Watson's claim of the re-start kick following the Weston try.

"I have to be happy, particularly with our second-half showing, when we injected more pace," said Currie coach Ally Donaldson. "We defended well, we got a win bonus and while Dundee were under-strength, they made it very hard for us in the first half."

He added: "Alan Airs, our former team manager, lost his 15-month battle against cancer on Friday, so the players wanted very much to put on a good show for Alan. This victory is dedicated to him."

Scorers: Currie - Tries: Simonsen, Gilles (2), Fife, Johnstone, Weston, T Brown; Conversions: Abercrombie (4), Scott (2).

Currie: T Brown; Johnstone, Abercrombie (Binikos), McMahon (Smith), Fife, Scott, Snedden; Cox (Merrilees) , Simonsen (Gillies) Hamilton, Wilson, Adam, Burton (Eddie), Cairns, Weston.

Dundee HSFP: Urquhart, Hay, Barolow, Strachan (M Brown), Coleman, McKenna, A Dymock; Russell, Forrest, A Brown (S Cessford), Linton, Hawkins (Grewer), Redmayne, R Cessford, McIver (Morrison). Replacement not used: N Dymock.

Referee: J Matthews